Kirkland Village says its market analysis shows a greater demand for residences in the retirement community

To meet increased demand, Kirkland Village Retirement Community in Bethlehem will build 84 more apartments for independent living residents and a skilled nursing facility with 32 beds.

Construction will start in the spring for the first two phases of the expansion, according to Rodney L. Fenstermacher, corporate director of construction and plant assets for Presbyterian Senior Living, which operates Kirkland Village.

The Bethlehem Planning Commission on Thursday unanimously backed the land development plan for the project.

The expansion will be built on about 20 acres on Madison Avenue behind the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, adjacent to Kirkland Village. Last year, Kirkland Village purchased 4.5 acres from the church for the project.

The proposal is to construct four independent living buildings, with 21 units in each, and a separate skilled nursing facility with 32 beds.

Samantha Roos-Meiser, executive director of Kirkland Village, said the retirement community did a market analysis that shows greater demand for residences in the retirement community.

"Our occupancy rate is very high," she said.

Fenstermacher said the first phase of construction — which will be two 21-unit buildings for independent living — is expected to cost about $15 million. Andrew T. Bohl, the engineer for the project, said he expects that work to take about a year.

Currently, Kirkland Village has 158 residential units for independent living; 33 personal care suites, which are similar to assisted living; and skilled nursing facilities for 60 people.

Meanwhile, the planners Thursday postponed hearing a presentation about a land development plan for a 175,000-square-foot office and manufacturing facility at 1019 Gilchrist Drive in Bethlehem.

George Reeves, representing developer J.G. Petrucci, agreed to a request by Planning Commission Chairman James Florentino to grant the planners an extension. Assistant Planning Director Tracey Samuelson said she expects the project to come before the Planning Commission on March 12.

Asked later about the plan, Reeves said he would prefer to give details at the March meeting.

The facility would be built on about 61 acres zoned for industrial redevelopment. The plan is looking for future expansions of 250,000 square feet and 295 square feet. The site is in the Lehigh Valley Industrial Park VII, Phase V.